Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol have been champions on the light-heavyweight scene since 2017.
Bivol was elevated to the full WBA Champion that year when Badou Jack vacated, while Beterbiev picked up the vacant IBF by beating Enrico Kölling. He would then defeat Oleksandr Gvozdyk and Joe Smith Jr for the WBC and WBO respectively – all the while keeping his 100% knokout ratio.
Bivol has stopped just one opponent inside the distance in his last ten contests, a big contrast to the fearsome shots of Beterbiev and the most intriguing talking point of their undisputed fight next month – will pure boxing ability trump raw power?
Lyndon Arthur has a unique perspective having lost a unanimous decision to Bivol last year and previously sparred Beterbiev. He gave his verdict to Boxing News.
“I used to think Bivol… No, I still think Bivol’s the best, Bivol’s elite, but now I’ve felt Bivol doesn’t hit as hard as he needs to keep Beterbiev off. I’ve sparred Beterbiev, I know how how hard he hits in 16 ounces. I wouldn’t like to take them shots in 10 ounces. Not for as long as that anyway as a twelve round fight.
I don’t know men, Bivol’s a boxer through and through and he’ll be happy to stay in there and box his head off if it can be done. I’m excited for that fight. I’m sitting on the fence.”
The pair top a star-studded undercard in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on October 12. The winner will be the first undisputed champion at 175 pounds since Roy Jones Jr and the first ever in the four-belt era.
